Imaging Substance Use and Misuse: Psychostimulants

Abstract

Neuroimaging provides a dynamic window on the effects of psychoactive substances on the structure and function of human brain. As a field, neuroimaging of substance abuse is broad and includes investigation of processes involved in chronic drug effects and addiction such as craving, compulsive drug seeking, and compulsive drug use; initial drug effects that include sedative, stimulant, cognitive, and behavioral effects; and potential between-person factors relevant to substance use and misuse such as gender, family history, age, and other factors. Given this scope, this chapter has been restricted to three main topical areas: (1) overarching research questions in neuroimaging of substance use and misuse, (2) methodological issues typically encountered in the field, and (3) between-person factors that may confer a vulnerability to, or protection from, the development and maintenance of substance use and misuse. Many substances have been studied using neuroimaging methods, including alcohol, nicotine, opiates, cannabinoids, cocaine, and amphetamine. The chapter focuses on the classic psychostimulants cocaine and amphetamine, which serve as archetypal drugs of abuse because of their impact on dopamine, which is processed by the brain as highly salient and motivates the approach and acquisition of the drug [Volkow et al. (Neuropharmacology 56(1):3–8, 2009)].